Total Pageviews

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I know, whatever you do, for spreading the awareness about climate change, 'may be' insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. A small initiative of your's can spread the awareness like a conflagration.This is fourth in the series of articles about climate crisis. In this article i will be discussing about how the scientific results/efforts where successful in making 'climate crisis'a buzzword and also about impact of scientific studies related to climate change.The first articleshould set the historical context for you to get interested in knowing about climate crisis.The second articletalks about earth's energy balance, causes and consequences of climate crisis.The third articlespeaks about the impact of scientific discoveries on political decisions and policy making with respect to climate crisis.

*****

Climate Crisis a buzzwordThe possibility that humans could contribute to global warming was now being taken seriously by scientists, and by the early 1960s some had begun to raise the spectre of severe climate change within a century. They had started to collect evidence to test the idea that global temperatures were increasing alongside greenhouse gas emissions, and to construct mathematical models to predict future climates....There is now little doubt that the temperature increase over the last 150 years is real, but debate still surrounds the causes.[Gaurdian]. "Since the last decades of the 20th century, increased awareness of the scientific findings surrounding global warming has resulted in political and economic debate[wiki]."

Various government funded organizations and non profit organizations played their part to spread the awareness about climate change.

Starting from mid 20th century, climate change research centers and institutions were set up in many countries. Systematic study of climate change in those research centres and institutions kept the alarm bell ringing.

As a result of this, governments across the globe started taking a serious look at renewable energy alternatives. Renewable energy research and development work started spreading in many universities and organizations. Gradually, 'Energy Saving' products started entering the market.

Setting up of the UNFCCC, IPCC, Global conferences (Like the UNCCC) started getting the attention of environmentalist, scientist, activists, volunteers etc.. More importantly these conferences forced the governments across the world to take the responsibility of climate change and asked them to take appropriate actions.

The hot debate on climate change over the Internet spread like a conflagration. This in turn brought more people into the debate and of course brought awareness among (at least some) web users.

In the recent years, media (both print and electronic) finally ended its apathy towards climate change and started giving serious attention to climate change issues (However some people still argue that media do not give enough attention to environmental issues).

TV channels dedicated to environment (Like Nation Geographic Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery etc..) brought out the hidden secrets of mother nature and special programs and documentaries were able to get significant attention from people of all age groups.

Such multi pronged efforts were able to make 'climate change'/'global warming' a buzzword. So far, we were able to spread this word around the world. But was that enough? Well, I would say, thats just a begining. Miles to go before we can see the 'cleaner' future.

Impact of scientific studies related to climate changeIn 2005, scientists announced major discoveries about Earth's climate. Multiple Greenland glaciers suddenly leaped into retreat, spilling larger and larger amounts of ice into the sea. A similar pattern has been seen on the Antarctic Peninsula. Studies of the past 50 years of hurricanes were made public and revealed the storms have been steadily getting more intense and destructive. Hurricane Katrina brought that point home to the U.S. by nearly wiping New Orleans off the map. Scientists also announced the record retreat in Arctic sea ice, and a measurable slowing of the thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic – the deep ocean current that drives the Gulf Stream, moderates temperatures worldwide, and keeps Europe from having a climate like that of Alaska[Discovery Channel].

Right from the early 19th century, scientific studies have been showing the effects of human activities on planet earth. These studies were able to keep the alarm bell ringing in political, economic, academic circles. Reports of IPCC, climate change institutes, organizations were successful in pressurizing the political fraternity to start taking appropriate actions [don't you think so? Refer first article]. Research and development on climate change and environment has brought some innovation in renewable energy and was successful in commercializing the renewable energy[Read More]. What we need is, judicious use of available non-renewable energy resources and shifting our focus towards renewable energy resources.

You can read more about climate change history on LiveScience page, CNN and you can find more comprehensive details about history of climate change here.

As I said at the begining of this article, whatever you do for spreading the awareness about climate change 'may be' insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. What you can do? I strongly suggest that you take a look at these links and do whatever little you can. Inconvenient truth - what you can do, global warming awareness blog - little ways to spread awareness, another blog here - things you can do, On EarthEssay page. And of course, you can find many more links on the web.

To be continued...

In the subsequent article(s), i will be discussing about role of world leaders and scientific community in sharing whatever little is left and the road ahead.

Friday, June 27, 2008

After the first three articles of "Man Vs Mother Earth: Who has betrayed whom?" series, some of my friends started calling me 'Mr. Global Warming'. I was quite annoyed, but at the same time i felt quite happy about spreading some 'more' awareness about the issue. One of my friend who also happen to be a serious follower of global warming literature said, "Mr. Global Warming dude, this whole sh*t about global warming is a myth, its a natural phenomena, human contribution to global warming is 0.000..lots of zeros...001%, negligible, If we invest heavily on preventing/mitigating global warming, then we may have to face some serious economic depression, something like what United States saw in 1930s..." Some similar thoughts are shared by another friend who commented on third article. Well, there are others who strongly believe that unethical anthropogenic activities are major culprit for global warming and also believe that spreading awareness and investing heavily on preventing/mitigating global warming is MUST.

If you want to know whether the debate over global warming is useful or useless, I strongly suggest you to see this video at least once. A high school science teacher has put forward a very interesting argument on Global Warming.

I have drawn this diagram to give you a quick overview of the argument.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

"If you ask me to name the three scariest threats facing the human race, I would give the same answer that most people would: nuclear war, global warming and Windows." - Dave Barry.

This is third in the series of articles about climate crisis. This article speaks about the impact of scientific discoveries on political decisions and policy making with respect to climate crisis.The first articleshould set the historical context for you to get interested in knowing about climate crisis and the second articletalks about earth's energy balance, causes and consequences of climate crisis.

*****

"Already in the 1930s, many people noticed that their weather was getting warmer. Few connected this with human activity, and still fewer feared any harm. Gradually scientists, aided by science journalists, informed the minority of educated people that modern civilization might cause global warming, sometime far in the future. In the early 1970s, the question began to concern a wider public. By then most people had come to fear planet-wide harm from technology in general. Now an onslaught of droughts suggested we were already damaging the climate. The issue was confused, however, when experts debated whether pollution would bring global warming or, instead, an appalling new ice age. By the end of the 1970s, scientific opinion had settled on warming as most likely, probably becoming evident around the year 2000 — that is, in a remote and uncertain future [The Discovery of Global Warming]."

In the 1980s, international conferences and new types of scientific groups began to shape the agendas of governments to a degree that had little precedent in other areas of world politics. Increased pressure from scientific community and environmentalists generated some thoughts on 'climate crisis and policy making.' Leaders across the world started realizing that, the problem of global warming is 'global' and requires cooperative action by all the governments. Refer first article to find more about institutions/organizations set up by international community to curb global warming.

1. Climate Crisis and Policy MakingPolicy response to address the risk of climate change will involve virtually every area of economy & society and needs to be looked at as part of development strategy. Keeping this broader picture of 'development strategy' in mind, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change had realized way back in 1992 that, "the responsibility for addressing the problem is common but differentiated." The term 'differentiated' here means, not all countries have the same responsibility when it comes to mitigate the future consequences. UNFCCC accepts this because of the historical emission patters. "To give some idea of numbers, in terms of the principal pollutant, carbon, USA's per capita emissions (you can think of it as average amount of carbon contributed by every citizen of that country) amount to nearly 20 tonnes, Europe is at around 8 tonnes, Japan and South Korea at around 10 tonnes, Russia at around 12 tonnes, China around 4 tonnes and India at 1 tonne as of 2004." So, the "polluter pays" principle has been accepted by most of the international community (except United states which remains the single biggest obstacle to global progress on climate change).

The policy response to the risk of climate change has three dimensions [Yojana, June 2008],

Intensified research and observation of the climate system and its impact on development.

Actions to mitigate the risks by reducing the human contribution to the causative factors and

Actions to adapt to the changes that are unavoidable despite the mitigation actions.

2. Who should take the responsibility?Its interesting to note that, In December 2007 Bali Conference, United states was humiliated by Kevin Conrad from a tiny independent state Papua New Guinea. Kevin Conard asked US, "We seek your leadership. But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.", What happened next? "The conference exploded with applause, the U.S. delegation backed down, and the way was cleared for adoption of the “Bali road map” after a dramatic half-hour that set the stage for a grinding two years of climate talks to come [source]." Doesn't this remind us a quote from John Kerry? "America has not led but fled on the issue of global warming."

"Given the historical emission patterns, fairness dictates that industrialized (or developed) countries reduce their emission enormously, by 80-90 percent at minimum, in order to leave ecological space for developing countries. On the other hand the science and current projections dictate that developing countries too need to urgently shift to less carbon intensive growth trajectories.[EPW, December 29, 2007]." That is why United states argue that, rest of the world (especially the developing countries, specifically pointing towards India and China) should also share the burden of climate crisis while being completely aware of the fact that it (US) is responsible (to a greater extent) for today's much 'warmer' habitat of mankind. We can say that, US is finding its hiding place behind India and China when it comes to taking measures on climate crisis. US continues to be largest contributer of green house gases (recently there were reports that China has overtaken US in terms of carbon emission).

World's Top Ten Emitters (2005)

Country

CO2 emissions in billion tonnes (Gt)

United States

5.96

China

5.32

Russia

1.7

Japan

1.23

India

1.17

Germany

0.84

Canada

0.63

Britain

0.58

South Korea

0.5

Italy

0.47

"Most OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, and economies in transition (developing countries) signed Kyoto Protocol in 1997, to reduce anthropogenic green house gas emission by at least 5.2 percent below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008-12 with a shift to cleaner energies such as wind and solar powers. Unfortunately the big boss, the United States, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Developing countries' exemption from compliance of the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol has probably annoyed the US. The Protocol nevertheless covers 174 countries globally including India, and over 55% of global green house gas emission[Yojana, June 2008].

3. Shift in Position and Sharing the responsibilityEven though developing countries like India, China and Brazil do not have any legal obligation under the Kyoto Protocol beyond monitoring and reporting emissions, these countries have moral responsibility to mitigate the crisis and their proactive initiatives should be supported by developed countries with both finance and technology.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): CDM projects under the Kyoto protocol mooted to encourage investment in developing countries by promoting the "transfer of environment-friendly technologies." Developed countries have the (morel if not legal) responsibility of assisting other countries in terms of finance and technologies. Mitigation efforts by developing countries can only be adapted if the full additional costs involved are made available by developed countries.

Sustainable Development Policies and measures (SD-PAMS): This articulation in Bali conference emphasizes the responsibility of developing countries come up with economic policies which can lead to sustainable growth as against the present haphazard growth in many countries.

The final text of the Bali Conference clearly stated the consideration of, "Nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties in the context of sustainable development, supported and enabled by technology, financing and capacity-building, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner." This clearly asks developing countries to take the 'climate friendly growth' seriously.

At G-8 summit held in Heiligendamm, our PM Dr. Manmohan Singh made it clear that, "India was prepared to commit that its per capita emission would not exceed the average per capita emissions of developed industrial countries [...]." Such proactive initiatives are healthy and other countries should follow the suit. Its high time that, every country should ask not what every other country has done for the cause of climate crisis, but should ask itself what it has done (or what it has to do) for avoiding terrible consequences of climate crisis.

To be continued...

In the subsequent articles i will be discussing about how the scientific results where successful in making 'climate crisis'a buzzword and also about importance of scientific results and advancements for 'cleaner' future, role of world leaders and scientific community in sharing whatever little is left and the road ahead.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Once in a while me and Nishad do find some reasons to meet and we do talk some serious things 'also'. His tryst with bicycle is kinda kick-ass experience. Recently he forwarded an email and it's subject looked quite unusual, "Happy Birthday my bicycle !!" And to my surprise, he had brought sweets for his colleagues on that day. I am not sure if he had done that on his b'day, i don't think he has. Here is the text of his interesting email.

Hello All,Exactly 1 year ago, I had decided to buy a bicycle. Today, I have completed 1 year of commutation to office on a bicycle. Here are some interesting facts and figures I've gathered. By opting for a bicycle instead of a motorcycle,

I have saved an EMI of Rs 4000 for a motorcycle. i.e. for 12 months. I have saved 48000 Rs.

I have traveled at least 5000 kms on my bicycle. So I've saved at least 93 litres of petrol and 5000 Rs (Assuming an average of 55Kmpl and petrol 54 Rs/litre).

I have stopped arguing to auto rickshaw drivers as I have my own transport which I think is faster than an auto rickshaw. Money saved on Auto = Approx 2000 Rs.

I have saved the emission of 0.671 tonnes of CO2 which would have been emitted by my motorcycle in 1 year. http://www.carbonfootprint.com. On my advice, at least 7 people have started commuting to office on a bicycle.

I have lost at least 8 Kgs of weight, gained strength, stamina, and endurance.

Apart from the benefits to my health and the environment, an investment of 6000 Rs has saved me at least 50,000 Rs in a single year.Like last year, Sweets in my cubicle !!!

Thanks and Regards,Nishad N Bhatawadekar[address and blah blah....]

Nishad dude,I must tell you that, After knowing your tryst with bicycle, I have stopped using my bike to go to 'Manyta Office' (since February 2008), I use office transport. Some times, when i have time, I do walk to EGL office instead of taking my 'sooooooper' bike. Your interests in environment was partly responsible for my serious reading about environment and climate crisis, and I have started writing about that in my blog. Find it here and here. Not sure if I can use bicycle, but i will try my best to reduce 'my carbon contribution' to the environment. Sounds cool? Well, that actually is! :)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

"I am afraid to go out in the sun now, because of the holes in our ozone (layer), I am afraid to breath the air, because i don't know what chemicals are in it...... You don't know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer, you don't know how to bring back an animal now extinct, and you can't bring back the forest that once grew, which is now a desert. If you don't know how to fix it, please stop breaking it....." - 13 year old girl warned the UN delegates in Earth Summit (1992).

This is second in the series of articles about climate crisis. This article talks about earth's energy balance, causes and consequences of climate crisis. The first articleshould set the historical context for you to get interested in knowing about climate crisis.

The fourth assessment report of IPCC published in 2007 makes the most emphatic statement about climate change. "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and raising global average sea level", the report also says, "In order to restrict global average temperature rise to 2.0-2.4 degree celsius (acceptable temperature rise in order to avoid horrendous consequences, called as equilibrium temperature) would require limiting concentration of green house gases to 445-490 ppm, particles per million, (compared to 337 ppm in 2005 and about 280 ppm in pre-industrial times)." The concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere was more or less constant before the industrial revolution which started in 18th century. This industrial revolution, no doubt, had a profound impact on socio economic development, but subsequent unsustainable growth has devastated the normal climate.

1. Earth's Energy Balance and the impact on climate change "The survival of life on earth depends on the absorption of incoming solar radiation which warms the surface of the planet. This incoming energy is reflected back into space as low intensity infra red radiation. However, the atmosphere of the earth contains small quantities of carbon dioxide and some other gases (collectively called greenhouse gases of GHGs) which absorb some of the outgoing infrared radiation and reflect it back to earth. Thus increasing the warming of surface [Yojana, June 2008]." In the absence of pollution, the natural amount of GHGs can maintain the thermal equilibrium which can support (normal) life on this planet. But, any further increase in the levels of GHGs give raise to the increase in atmospheric temperature which severely affect the life on earth.

The principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2),whose concentration has increased by 31% since 1750 to a level which is likely to have not been exceeded for 20 million years. This increase is predominantly due to fossil fuel burning, but also to land-use change, especially deforestation. More...

The other significant anthropogenic greenhouse gases are methane (CH4) (151% increase since 1750, 1/3 of CO2's radiative forcing), halocarbons such as CFCs and their substitutes (100% anthropogenic, 1/4 of CO2's radiative forcing) and nitrous oxide (N2O) (17% increase since 1750, 1/10 of CO2's radiative forcing). More

3. The consequences of rising temperatureUnethical anthropogenic activities are making life difficult not only for mankind but also for remaining over 30 million species. Following are some of the consequences of rising temperature which may draw your serious attention.

"Future climate change is expected to put close to 50 million extra people at risk of hunger by 2020", IPCC report says.

Unusual pattern of precipitation. Heavy precipitation events in some areas leading to floods (as it happening in Mumbai these years) and virtually no precipitation in some areas (especially in tropic and subtropic areas).

Rise in the sea level. Roughly from 1850s, the sea level has risen by about 10-20 cm. This would displace millions and deprive shelter for mankind. Already two out of 102 islands in Sunderban have submerged due to the raise in sea level [The Hindu]. A one meter sea level rise will inundate up to 30000sq.km in Bangladesh and 5000sq.km in India, displacing millions of coastal dwellers.

Shrinking of both the arctic and antarctic ice caps. Large ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have already started melting slowly. If this process continues for centuries, the entire Greenland ice sheet could be eliminated and this could lead to sea level rise of about 7m!

Variation in the food production due to variation in the climate. Either flood or drought can give raise to food crisis which would increase the risk of hunger.

Rise in the ocean temperature. "Sea can absorb and hold a great deal of warming potential in the (ocean) depths. But at some point this potential will manifest itself and change the average temperature of the earth at the surface."

Change in the hydrology of rivers. In case of Indian rivers, the river basins of Mahi, Pennar, Sabarmati and Tapi (rivers in western part) would face water shortage conditions. River basins belonging to (southern India) Cauvery, Ganga, Narmada and Krishna would experience seasonal or regular water-stressed conditions while River basins belonging to (Eastern India) Godavari, Brahmani and Mahanadi would not have water shortage but are predicted to face severe flood conditions. Ganga and Yamuna rivers (in Northern India) could face serious floods due to melting of Himalayan glaciers.

The effect on various ecosystems is conspicuous and many species are already endangered.

The list is pretty big and never ending. The impact is beyond our imagination and has a great potential to break the barriers. You can read more about consequences here, here, here, here(useful data about human influence on climate), IPCC reports, and here(some FAQs).

To be continued...In the subsequent articles I will be discussing about the impact of science on political decisions wrt climate crisis, how the scientific results where successful in making 'climate crisis'a buzzword and also about importance of scientific results and advancements for 'cleaner' future, role of world leaders and scientific community in sharing whatever little is left and the road ahead.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

An inconvenient truth of climate crisis has already told us whether the planet earth has betrayed mankind or the mankind has betrayed planet earth. Unchecked anthropogenic activities have taken us to a point where every country is pointing at every other country to take (or at least share) the responsibility for the collective mess we have created over the last century and half. Its high time that, every country should ask not what every other country has done for the cause of climate crisis, but should ask itself what it has done (or what it has to do) for avoiding terrible consequences of climate crisis.

This is first in the series of articles about climate crisis. This article should set the historical context for you to get interested in knowing about climate crisis, how it all started and how the world leaders realized the importance of saving this planet from unethical anthropogenic activities. In the subsequent articles, I will be discussing about the challenges, results of scientific research and their importance, how the world leaders and scientific community dealing with this issue and more importantly about the road ahead.I will try to keep it precise yet informative.

*****

Historic Perspective - Setting the context right

Scientific community has been warning mankind about the threats of global warming. Until 1970s, most of the countries were busy making policies for socio-economic development. This was evident in the younger democracies just out of colonial rule. But it was in late 70s and early 80s, the debate of global warming started getting attention as the industrialization reached new heights. UN, the global body was not far behind to realize the consequences of climate crisis.

1. Setting up of IPCCUnited Nation General Assembly took a bold step by adopting a resolution in December 1988, on global warming and climate change and endorsed the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) proposal for setting up of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) "to assess scientific and socio-economic infomration relevant to increasing our understanding about climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation." The IPCC does not carry out research, nor does it monitor climate or related phenomena. The main activity of the IPCC is publishing special reports on topics relevant to the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)[wiki]. "The reports of the panel are written by teams of authors, nominated by governments and international organizations, and selected for a specific task according to their expertise from more than 100 countries. In addition, several hundred experts participate in the review process [Yojana, June 2008]." The first IPCC assessment report published in 1990 laid down the policy framework for addressing climate change.

2. UNCED and the birth of UFCCCJust four years after setting up of IPCC, the UN Summit Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was conveyed in Rio De Janerio in June 1992. It was in this conference that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or UNFCCC was adopted by consensus. Since then, UNFCCC is acting as a multilateral legal instrument on Climate Change. UNFCCC gave a formal platform for multilateral negotiations on the issue of climate change. Currently there are 192 UNFCCC member countries and 4 observers. The members (or signatories) of UNFCCC are divided into three groups.

3. Principles and Responsibilities enshrined in UFCCCNot all countries have the same responsibility with respect to climate as the carbon emission varies from country to country. UNFCCC recognizes that all countries have "their common but differentiated responsibilities and relative capabilities." That means, the country producing high amount of green house gases will have higher responsibility. This principle of "differentiated responsibility" is the foundation for all climate change negotiations so far. This is conspicuous from the fact that, "from 1850 to 2000, which would correspond to the period of accelerated industrialization in the developed world, the United States has been responsible for 30%, the EU-25 nations for 27.2%, China with 7.3% and India with 2% of the cumulative CO2 emissions." Thus, on the principle that "polluter pays", the developed countries (Annex I countries) have a higher responsibility to cut back on the harmful green house gases. The UNFCCC does not require developing countries to undertake mitigation measures (or reduction) on their own[Yojana, June 2008] but. UFCCC also advocates,

Promoting sustainable development.

Open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development.

Developed countries should help the other countries in terms of finance and technology for implementing projects which are climate friendly.

4. The Kyoto ProtocolThe second IPCC report published in 1995, led to the adoption of Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Kyoto protocol includes an obligation/commitment on the industrialized countries (Annex I countries) to reduce Green House Gases (GHG) to their 1990 levels. Europe, Canada, Japan and Russia have accepted some obligations under Kyoto Protocol. But the United States, the largest emmiter of GHG has not accepted the Kyoto Protocol. The US argues that, "Irrespective of historic emissions (i.e. Irrespective of who has emitted more GHG so far), all major current emitters should be required to take on some commitments, and US has particularly singled out lack of commitments by China and India as the reason for its failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Thus, US remains a single biggest obstacle to global progress on climate change [EPW].

5. Post Kyoto Scenario and Bali road mapThe third report of IPCC published in 2001 and the fourth report published in early 2007[IPCC reports], are a crucial references for providing information for deliberations on climate change items. The term of Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012 and the leaders around the world are busy thinking about what next after 2012. The recently concluded Bali Conference has provided a road map (also called 'Bali road map') for future climate change negotiations. "There were at least three interconnected issues at stake on how to design the Bali road map [Navroz K Dubash, EPW]."

How should the progress of the Annex I countries who agreed to commitments at Kyoto be reviewed?

What should be done about the US, which accounts for about 20% of global emissions, but has failed to ratify Kyoto Protocol?

Should developed countries take on any commitments, and how should they be articulated?

After the intense negotiations for two weeks at Bali, the world leaders have come to consensus about the road map for post Kyoto Protocol scenario. The next Conference is scheduled for December 2009 in Copenhagen. The leaders are expected to finalize the "shared vision for long term cooperative action" on climate change.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

An inconvenient truth of climate crisis has already told us whether the planet earth has betrayed mankind or the mankind has betrayed planet earth. Unchecked anthropogenic activities have taken us to a point where every country is pointing at every other country to take (or at least share) the responsibility for the collective mess we have created over the last century and half. Its high time that, every country should ask not what every other country has done for the cause of climate crisis, but should ask itself what it has done (or what it has to do) for avoiding terrible consequences of climate crisis.

Well, of late, Global warming and Climate Crisis have become buzzwords for environmental talk. Here are some of the interesting things which I came across while reading about Climate Crisis. Hopefully, will write a detailed article about it soon :)

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes.

"From 1850 to 2000, which would correspond to the period of accelerated industrialization in the developed world, the United States has been responsible for 30%, the EU-25 nations for 27.2%, China with 7.3% and India with 2% of the cumulative CO2 emmissions."

United States is the only big boss refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which insists that the developing countries should reduce their green house gas emmissions by a collective average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels by the year 2012. United states argue that, the rest of the world (especially the developing countries, specifically pointing towards India and China) should also share the burden of climate crisis while being completely aware of the fact that it (US) is responsible (to a greater extent) for today's much 'warmer' habitat of mankind.

In December 2007 Bali Conference, United states was humiliated by Kevin Conrad from a tiny independent state Papua New Guinea. Kevin Conard asked US, "We seek your leadership. But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.", What happened next? "The conference exploded with applause, the U.S. delegation backed down, and the way was cleared for adoption of the “Bali road map” after a dramatic half-hour that set the stage for a grinding two years of climate talks to come."[source]

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conferences have been charecterised by intense negotiations and multiple constraints of national interest. In one of the conferences, "US made a statement that, American lifestyle is not for negotiation, Canada's insistence that it needs additional fossil fuels for heating, Saudi Arabia's demand that it should not be unfairly penalised for dependence on oil exports, and India's declaration that its development needs come first [EPW, December 29, 2007]."

Friday, June 6, 2008

I had noted in my earlier post that, 1098 (child helpline) can be used to pass on the excess food left over after a party/function. Unfortunately that is not true. My mistake, of course, was unintentional and was completely based on an email forwarded by one of my (trusted) friend. I thank CHILDLINE India Foundation for commenting on the post and clarifying the matter.

CHILDLINE 1098 is India's only and most widespread Children's phone emergency outreach service for distressed and deprived children in need of care and protection. We not only respond to emergency needs of children but also provide a platform for networking amongst organisations and provide linkages to support systems that facilitate the rehabilitation of children in need. This is a project supported by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and linking state Governments, NGOs, bilateral /multilateral agencies and corporate sector. In 12 years, CHILDLINE has worked with over 3 million children in need of care and protection.

1098, the toll free emergency number should be kept free for emergency calls from children and others in the time of distress or for concerned citizens to report a child who is in need of our help.Know better about CHILDLINE – www.childlineindia.org.in

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The joy and celebration of our parents had no bounds when we came here to start our journey; they were on top of the world! Some of us are lucky enough to have pampered by our parents, but for some, the journey of life had a devastating start and many unlucky children abort this journey not because of lack of parental care but because of inhuman, vicious, horrendous acts of mankind. "Despite the existence of rights, children suffer from poverty, homelessness, abuse, neglect, preventable diseases, unequal access to education and justice systems that do not recognize their special needs. These are problems that occur in both industrialized and developing countries." Millions of children around the world suffer not just because of poverty and hunger but also because of wars, conflicts, physical abuses, preventable diseases, and of course the ingnorance. Its hard to believe that we are living in a world where over 300,000 youths and girls currently are serving as child soldiers around the world. Many are less than 10 years old. Many girl soldiers are forced into different forms of sexual slavery[2001, source]. They get raped before even knowing the meaning of sex. "The statistics of child abuse in its many, many forms are horrendous. They include over 2 million children killed in conflict in the last two decades; around 10 million child refugees cared for by UNHCR; in the Latin America & Caribbean region 80 thousand children die every year from violence that breaks out within the family[UN]. Whether exploited as child labourers or prostitutes, drafted as young teenagers into armed forces, forced as young girls into a lonely life as domestic workers, deprived of an education to work on the family farm, or denied adequate nutrition and health care, children need help and protection from an adult world that perpetrates most of the abuse.[source]"

June 4th, The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression acknowledges the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse - and affirms a commitment to protect the rights of children. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression came into being in 1982. The observance was created in response to the appalling number of innocent children suffering because of the conflict in Palestine. But the day reminds us that all children are vulnerable to violence. In our own country, about 20 lakh children die annually and are reduced to statistical figures. That comes up to about 6,000 deaths everyday says a CNN-IBN report. "Children are forced to work in circuses, in factories, in hotels, engaged in forced prostitution or sexual exploitation, drug peddling and smuggling. It would be interesting to know that, as per the findings of International Organization for Migration (IMO), the global 'human industry' generates up to $8 billion each year. The report has further pointed out that an estimated 50000-70000 young girls between 5 to 10 age group are trafficked into India every year[source - Yojana, May 2008]."

It's not that the whole world is silent over child abuse. The problem is so pervasive and difficult that, in spite of legal framework and thousands and thousands of helping hands, millions of children still continue to suffer. UNICEF has taken a bold step by framing the "Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)." Already 193 countries are signatories to this, and ironically, United States is not a signatory! CRC clearly mention that, "Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights. Human rights apply to all age groups; children have the same general human rights as adults. But children are particularly vulnerable and so they also have particular rights that recognize their special need for protection.[unicef]" Also, there are thousands of Non-Profit organizations around the globe working seizelessly to give children their due rights. You can find them here. CRY, Human Rights Organizations-India, CRC Kids, Children's Rights Today, Child Rights Information Network, Human Rights Watch - Children's Rights Division, and of course you can find many more.

What can we do?When a beautiful bollywood babe go to an orphanage, her beautiful photo with orphans will be printed on the front page, when a politician gives assurances like abolishing child labour, it makes headlines, but when a child cries because of hunger and abuse, no one hears. It just becomes a cacophony to many. When we see an innocent little smile on a child's face in our own family, our joy will have no bounds. Don't we feel like going back to childhood again? There are millions of childhood lives in the verge of ending their journey of life. There is always a way to prevent that. We can be the part of that change, we too can change the lives around! Here are some things that we can do along with governament, UNICEF, NGOs and many other non-profit organizations. [source: UN, and my Earlier Posts]

"If you are a parent, teacher, social worker or other professional working with children, raise awareness of the Convention on the Rights of the Child among children" and wherever possible protect the child from exploitation. Your small step can make a huge difference in that child's life.

"If you are a member of the media, promote knowledge and understanding of children’s rights and provide a forum for children’s participation in society."

When you see the blatant abuse of child rights, and if there is any chance of 'doing something', please do so, or at least inform the Child Rights watchdog organizations(Ex: Human Rights Organizations/NGO/Some Foundations known to you or even National Committees).

Extend your valuable support and help to organizations who work seizelessly to protect the interests of children.

Media can provide you a significant platform if you are willing to bring justice to abused children. Media can, of course, help you to get justice on any matter that you think is vital.

"Everyone can participate in respecting, protecting and fulfilling children’s rights. And UNICEF can help. Whoever you are and wherever you are, contact your local UNICEF office or National Committee to see what you can do."[UNICEF]

Some of us say, 'I have interest to help, but no time!" Think again! Don't you think one online transaction is enough to extend your helping hand?

You can be a part of that change. Change the lives around!

PS: Kannada version of the same article is available in Sampada and here.